Pulley device



April 10, 1951 D. A. SCHROCK 2,548,399

PULLEY DEVICE Filed Sept. 13, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor nie/ Alfred Sch/oak lg away E M18],

April 10, 1951 D. A. SCHROCK PULLEY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 15, 1948 m I a m C S M f v A w I n 0 0 Patented Apr. 10, 1951 PULLEY DEVICE Daniel Alfred Schrock, Boise, Idaho, assignor to Idaho Sprocket and Machine Works, Boise, Idaho, a copartnership Application September 13, 1948, Serial No. 48,998

2 Claims.

This invention relates to novel and useful improvements in devices for use in machine shops, endless clothes lines, and in any environment wherein a rotative force is desired.

An object of this invention is to rotate a housing which may be readily attached through the medium of a bearing structure at each end thereof, to a suitable support, by means of applying electrical current through a collector ring assembly to an armature assembly, whereby rotation of a central shaft is effected, the rotation being reduced in so far as speed is concerned and then transmitted to a pulley housing.

Another object of this invention is to provide an extremely simplified device of the character to be described which lends itself well to commercial manufacture, which has utility in many environments and which is extremely efiectual and convenient.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty will become apparent to those skilled in the art, in following the description of a preferred form of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the preferred form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view cooperating with Figure l to form. a complete operative device;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure l and in the direction of the arrows; and,

Figure 4 is a sectional view illustrating details of construction.

The present invention teaches the construction and use of a device for driving belts, ropes and the like through the medium of a self-contained power unit. The preferred form of the invention is specifically designed for use with electrical current as a motive source.

In apartment houses and the like, it is often necessary or desirable to utilize an endless type clothes lines and the housekeeper generally has to lean forward through the window aperture in order to manually actuate the same. It is within the purview of the present invention to supply a small unit of the type illustrated in the drawings for such actuation. Many other uses in totally different environments may be found for the present invention and are not mentioned in detail.

Shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a pair of support members [8 and I2, respectively, which are representative of any suitable anchorage. It will be noted that each anchorage element has a boss l4 and I6, respectively, attached thereto by any suitable, conventional means such as screws, bolts or the like. Conventional bearings, generally indicated at 20 and 22, 24 and 2B, respectively, are positioned in the respective bosses l4 and I6 in order to rotatively journal a pair of shafts 28 and 30, respectively.

A housing, generally indicated at 32, is composed of an annular or cylindrical member 34 having end plates 38 and 38, respectively, detachably secured thereto through the medium of suitable, conventional bolts 40. These end plates 36 and 38 have the shafts 28 and 30, respectively, formed integral therewith or, if desired, rigidly secured thereto. It is now apparent that the said housing 32 is rotatively journalled through the medium of the bearing structure and other pertinent mechanism described previously.

A case 42 is positioned on the interior of the housing 32 and is rigidly attached to the cylindrical portion 34 thereof through the utility of conventional screws 44. The screws extend through flanges 46 supplied on the interior surface of the cylindrical member 34 specifically for this purpose.

A central or inner shaft 48 is journalled in the case 42 at one end through the medium of a conventional ball-bearing assembly 58 and adjacent but not at the other end through the medium of a second ball-bearing assembly 52. Of course, suitable apertures are provided in the ends of the case in order to accommodate the ball-bearing assemblies. For manufacturing and assembling purposes the end 54 of the inner case 42 may be formed as a detachable plate maintained in position through the medium of the above-mentioned screws 42.

Reduction gearing is supplied in the housing 32 and may be seen best in Figure 2. A substantially L-shaped member 58 is attached to the plate 54 through the medium of a plurality of screws 60 or may be otherwise secured thereto. An end of the L-shaped member 58 is supplied with an aperture in order to accommodate an anti-friction bearing structure 64. This antifriction bearing structure journals a stub shaft 66 which is keyed to a pinion 68 through the use of a conventional key 1!]. The opposite end of the said stub shaft 66 is journalled in a suitable anti-friction bearing 12 which is received within a suitable boss 14 formed on the said plate 54. I

An internally toothed ring gear 16 has a shaf 18 projecting therefrom and may be detachable in nature or formed as a single unit. This lastmentioned shaft I8 is journalled in an antifriction bearing 88 supplied in the end plate 38 and the shaft 18 extends through a bore formed in the above-described shaft 30.

The center shaft 48 has a pin 84 at one end thereof maintained in place by means of an Allen screw or the like 88. Keyed to this pin 84 is an outer pinion 8'I, maintained immovable relative to the pin 84 through the means of a conventional key 88.

Also, keyed to the stub shaft 88 through the medium of the key I is another gear 90 which is enmeshed with the pinion 81. It is now appreciated that upon rotation of the shaft 48 and, consequently the pinion 81, the gear 98 will be rotated, thereby turning with it the shaft 88 and the pinion 88. Since the shaft 86 is journalled in the L-shaped bracket 58 which is, in turn, secured to the case 42 and the case is secured to the drum 32, the rotative movement of the pinion 88 will be transmitted to rotative movement of the entire drum structure in the event that the shaft I8 and the internally toothed ring gear I6 is main tained relatively stationary.

Means for maintaining the shaft I8 stationary is provided. This means is seen in Figure 2 as a key 92 provided in a suitable key-way in the end of the said shaft I8 and also provided in a suitable slot in an end plate 94. The end plate is rigidly attached to the boss I8 by means of screws 96 or by any other suitable, conventional means. Also, an end cap 98 is attached to the said shaft I8 by means of a single central screw I 08. In order to maintain the anti-friction bearlugs 24 and 28 in the assembled relation, a plate I82 is screwed or otherwise adjustably positioned in the boss I8 oper-atively engaging one of the races of the anti-friction bearing structure 28. An oil seal, conventional in nature, I84 is supplied at the opposite end of the boss I8 to serve its usual and conventional function.

The shaft 28 is hollow in order to allow a plurality of conductors schematically shown at I08, I08 and II 8, respectively, to extend therethrough. An opening H2 is provided in the case 42 in order to allow the conductors I08, I88 and H8 to proceed to field coil windings, generally indicated at H4. The'shaft 48 has the armature structure or assembly associated therewith which is generally indicated at H8 and which is conventional in motors. The usual core IIB is provided about the internal periphery of the case 42 and the field coils, generally indicated at I I4, are positioned adjacent this core. Thus, an electric motor is provided.

A plurality of collector rings I28, I 22 and I24, respectively, are mounted on an insulating sleeve I 26 which is, in turn, mounted on a metallic sleeve I28. This metallic sleeve abuts the end of the shaft 28 and is maintained in position through the medium of the stay bolts I30. Suitable insulating spacers I 32 are supplied in order to electrically insulate each collector ring from the other.

Bores I34 are provided in the sleeves I28 and I28 and these bores I34 are used in order to allow the conductors I88, I88 and H8 to contact the respective commutator rings I20, I22 and I24.

A bracket I40 is maintained in a fixed position relative to the sleeve I28 by means of end threaded bolts I42 and I44, respectively. One pair of ends of the bolts I42 and I44 are threadedly received in a facing plate M8 and are maintained in place by means of nuts I48. The opposite ends of the end threaded bolts I4 and.

I44 have pairs of nuts I58 and I52, respectively, on each in order to lock the plate or bracket I48 in a firm, predetermined position. The nuts I50 and I52, respectively, engage opposite faces of the bracket I40, thereby maintaining it in place.

The bolts I42 and I44 are used for the purpose of maintaining brushes thereon. These brushes are each substantially identical in character and include a rocker arm I58 having a central aperture. An electrically insulating collar I88 is provided in the central aperture in order to engage one of the end threaded bolts I42 or I44. At opposite ends of the said rocker arm I58 there is supplied a pair of bores I82 and I84, respectively. Each bore is provided with identical structure. The structure includes a carbon (or other suitable equivalent material) brush I88 normally urged against one of the commutator rings through the utility of a coil spring I88 or other equivalent means. An insulating plug I'I8 having a central aperture is threadedly received in the bores in order to provide a bearing surface for the spring I68 andv also to adjust the effective compression of the springs. A conductor I'I2 extending from the brush I88 projects through the central bore of the plug I18 and terminates in a clip or jack I18 which is attached to the rocker arm I58. It will be noted that any suitable number of such brush assemblies as is practical may be used in order to lead current from an outside source through the collector ring assembly to the armature and field assemblies.

The said face plate I48 is attached to the boss I4 by means of screws I or the like. The screws may be provided in appropriate positions in order to firmly attach the face plate in position. A threaded collar I82 is provided within an annular recess I84, which engages one of the races of the anti-friction bearing assembly 28, maintaining this assembly in position and a spacer ring I88 is used for maintaining the other anti-friction bearing assembly 22 in place. A similar spacing ring I88 is used in conjunction with the anti-friction bearing assemblies 24 and 28.

Conventional oil seals I98 and I92, respective ly, are provided in the end plate or face plate I48 and in the boss I4 in order to prevent lubricant from leaking from the anti-friction bearing assembly chamber provided in the boss I4.

From the foregoing the operation of the invention is deemed apparent. Current is supplied to the collector rings through the medium of the brush assembly and conducted to the armature and field assembly within the case 42. Torque is then applied to the shaft 48 which rotates the reduction gearing assembly about the ring gear I8 as an anchor. This rotation is transmitted at a reduced speed to the outer housing (and inner case 42) 32 in order that a motive force may be supplied.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A self-contained power operated pulley comprising an outer housing which forms a drum, a case fixed in said drum, an armature shaft having an armature rotatively mounted in said case, a field coil disposed in said case and cooperating with said armature, a first shaft projecting from said drum to mount said drum for rotation, a second shaft aligned with said first shaft and projectingfrom said drum, a collector ring assembly secured to said second shaft as an extension thereof, a plurality of stay bolts, 2. bear di posed on said second shaft having said invention, what is stay bolts projecting therefrom, means connecting for electrical communication said field coil and said collector ring assembly, brushes pivotally mounted on said stay bolts and contacting said collector rings, an external bearing mounted on said first shaft, said first shaft having a passage therethrough and a fixed shaft disposed in said passage, means securing one end of said lfixed shaft to said external bearing to anchor said fixed shaft, a ring gear secured to the other end of said fixed shaft whereby said ring gear is movable with respect to said drum, a planet gear assembly with a structural member fasteningsaid planet gear assembly to said case, a gear secured to said armature shaft, and said planet gear assembly being operatively connected with said gear and said fixed ring gear so as to operate said drum at a speed different from the speed of rotation of said armature shaft.

2. A self-contained power-operated pulley comprising a first and a second bearing, said bearings being spaced from other, a drum disposed between said bearings, said drum having open ends, end plates secured to said drum covering said open ends, a shaft extending from each plate to support said drum in bearings, one of said shafts being hollow and having an inner shaft concentrically arranged therein, means including a key and keyway in said inner shaft for holding said inner shaft stationary, a

motor operatively connected with said drum and having a motor shaft disposed in said drum, gearing located within said drum and drivingly connecting said motor shaft and said drum including a stub shaft, means including bearings mounting said stub shaft in said drum, two gears fixed to said stub shaft, a motor shaft supported gear engaging one of said two gears, a ring gear, and the other of said two gears being in engagement therewith.

DANIEL ALFRED SCI-IROCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 613,894 Sherrin Nov. 8, 1898 740,166 McLauthlin Sept. 29, 1903 843,558 Browning Feb. 5, 1907 1,055,598 Balachowsky Mar. 11, 1913 1,614,031 Holmes Jan. 11, 1927 2,282,450 Brettell May 12, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 602,436 France Dec. 23, 1925 271,212 Germany Mar. 6, 1914 

